"The education that I received at Lake Superior State University has opened many doors for me. I have worked with Firefighters and Paramedics for over thirty years as a co-worker, educator, and student. I have been very blessed in my life to have these opportunities. I truly believe that education is the cornerstone of everyone’s career and LSSU provides the best.

My future goals are to become the Director of a Fire Science program and follow in the footsteps of the great educators that I have had the privilege of learning from. This will not be easy, but I believe that these Professors have prepared me to be successful. My achievements will be a direct result of the knowledge that they have bestowed upon me. It will then be my obligation to share this knowledge with others. ”

Keith M. Campbell '07

Firefighter/Paramedic

Fire and hazardous materials response coordinator for the U.S. Navy based in Bahrain

Paramedic

Career Options

Our Students are Prepared!

Paramedics are trained to aggressively
manage all types of emergency
situations by providing scene
control, emergency medical care and
patient transport to a medical facility
or trauma center. The paramedic
is an integral part of the health care
team, serving as an extension of the
hospital emergency department.
Paramedics provide a variety of
skilled functions in the pre-hospital
phase of patient care, often the most
critical period of care. The professional
paramedic is highly motivated
and qualified by education
and certification to provide pre-hospital
care under the supervision of a
physician director of the Emergency
Medical Service System.

This program is designed to allow
current fire science and public safety
students to earn a minor and obtain
their paramedic certification; it also
allows students to obtain paramedic
certification without committing to
a four-year degree. Students can be
certified as an Emergency Medical
Technician-Basic after the first year
with little or no previous training;
and as a Paramedic at the end of
the second year. Graduates will be
eligible to challenge state and/or
national licensure examination for
both EMT-Basic and paramedic
license.

Emergency Paramedic -Works in the pre-hospital setting, providing emergency care and scene management
in all types of emergency
situations.

Public Safety Officer - Works in
the community, providing emergency care, fire/rescue and law
enforcement services to the general public.

Hospital Technician - Works in the hospital or trauma center setting, providing staff support services in critical care areas including the emergency department and critical care/intensive care units.

Paramedic student Megan Mandley listens for a blood pressure during paramedic skills and simulation lab session at Lake Superior State University. Emergency medical technicians take the lab to gain certification as a paramedic. LSSU Fire Science Instructor Dave Duncan teaches the class along with paramedics from the Sault, Mich., fire department. Mandley is a senior in fire science, with an associate's in paramedic technology, from Royal Oak, Mich.

Photos by Robert G. Girolamo, a senior in nursing with an associate's in paramedic technology

Fire Science with Honors...

SavannahSue Rondeau
Fire Science

"I love the fast pace environment, the people in the profession, and the adrenaline rush of running into a burning building or saving someone’s life," she says.
Rondeau chose Lake Superior State University because it offers the first accredited four-year fire science degree in the United States. She also jumped at the challenge of LSSU's Honors program, which requires her to complete 21 Honors credits, including 10 credits for an Honors seminar/thesis project.
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